Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract The family Carabodidae (Oribatida) is recorded in Malawi for the first time. A new species of the subgenus Carabodes (Klapperiches) is described from sifted litter in a highland forest of Central Malawi. Carabodes (Klapperiches) dedzaensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the related species C. (K.) coronatus Mahunka, 1986 by the larger body size, longer and fusiform bothridial seta, flexible interlamellar seta, longer lamellar cusp, and the absence of foveolae on genital and anal plates. An identification key to known species of Carabodes (Klapperiches) from the Afrotropical region is provided.

Abstract This paper reviews the ixodid tick species that are present in Colombia. The different databases reported 50 species of ticks, of which 29 belong to Amblyomma: A. auricularium, A. cajennense sensu lato (s.l.); for Colombia A. calcaratum, A. coelebs, A. crassum, A. dissimile, A. geayi, A. goeldii, A. humerale, A. longirostre, A. maculatum, A. tigrinum, A. triste, A. mixtum, A. multipunctum, A. naponense, A. neumanni, A. nodosum, A. oblongoguttatum, A. ovale, A. pacae, A. pecarium, A. patinoi, A. rotundatum, A. sabanerae, A. scalpturatum, A. tapirellum, A. varium, A. incisum, A. parvum; two Haemaphysalis species: H. juxtakochi, H. leporispalustris, two Rhipicephalus species: R. (Boophilus) microplus, R. sanguineus s.s., two Dermacentor species: Anocentor (D.) nitens, D. imitans, and 15 species of Ixodes: I. affinis, I. andinus, I. auritulus, I. bocatorensis, I. boliviensis, I. brunneus, I. fuscipes, I. lasallei, I. loricatus, I. luciae, I. montoyanus, I. pararicinus, I. tapirus, I. tropicalis, I. venezuelensis. Some of these species need to be validated, their presence confirmed, and their role as a risk for human and animal health studied. Therefore, a countrywide survey of Ixodidae ticks would be of great value to update the information presented in this work.

Abstract A new species of the neotropical genus Amboroppia (Oribatida, Oppiidae), A. andensis sp. nov. is described, based on adults collected from upper soil and leaf litter in primary mountain forest in the Andes, Central Peru. Additions to the generic diagnosis of Amboroppia are presented.

Abstract Among the Acari, eriophyoid mites are considered important pests as they produce various damage symptoms while feeding on plants. During the general surveys for eriophyoid mites of Mongalbari, Malda, West Bengal, India, one new species, Colomerus terminaliae sp. nov. of the family Eriophyidae was found along the rolling of leaf margin of Terminalia crenulata (Heyne) Roth (Combretaceae). This new phytophagous mite species is described and illustrated from the specimens collected at present study area. The new species is compared with other closely related species and a differential diagnosis is also provided here. The new species belongs to the genus Colomerus Newkirk & Keifer, 1971. This new species is morphologically distinguished from other existing species of Colomerus and it produces leaf rolling at the edges of leaves and causes damage to this economically important tree by its phytophagous mode of nutrition. For proper control of this mite pest, studying its taxonomy and relation to the host plant is essential.

Abstract All active stages of Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pygmephoridae) are described from a rotting twig of linden near town of Yalta, Crimea. A key to the species of Sevastianoviella is also provided and the life history of the new species is discussed.

Abstract Larvae of Charletonia krendowskyi (Feider, 1954) are reported both for the first time as ectoparasitic on adults of bush cricket Platycleis intermedia (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), and from Turkey. The previously given metric data for this species has been compared. In addition, some structural abnormalities seen in this species are given. This is the third record of Charletonia associated with orthopterans of the family Tettigoniidae.

Abstract Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) is an important phytoseiid mite. The biological and life table parameters of A. largoensis preyed on two eriophyoid mites, Aceria ficus (Cotte) or Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer, were evaluated under laboratory conditions. In the present study, this predator was reared on two plant species (Acalypha wilkesiana Muell. and Ficus carica L.) and provided with A. ficus or R. ficifoliae as prey. Results showed that A. largoensis failed to complete its development on F. carica leaves and its individuals couldn’t reach the adult stage. In contrast, A. largoensis successfully completed its development and reproduced when reared on A. wilkesiana leaves and fed on A. ficus or R. ficifoliae. The pre-adult development of A. largoensis reared on A. wilkesiana leaves preyed on A. ficus (7.70 days) was faster than for those preyed on R. ficifoliae (8.95 days). Females fed on A. ficus showed higher number of oviposition days compared with those preyed on R. ficifoliae. Adult longevity was shorter for A. largoensis individuals fed on R. ficifoliae (22.20 days), but longer for those fed on A. ficus (26.35 days). Fecundity of A. largoensis females fed on A. ficus (25.00 eggs/female) was higher than that of those fed on R. ficifoliae (18.40 eggs/female). Amblyseius largoensis fed on A. ficus displayed better performance in terms of its population parameters, as proved by its higher values of intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.193 day⁻¹), finite rate of increase (λ) (1.213 day⁻¹), and net reproductive rate (R₀) (20.000 offspring) as compared to feeding on R. ficifoliae (r = 0.164 day⁻¹, λ = 1.178 day⁻¹, and R₀ = 14.720 offspring). Although F. carica leaves seemed to be an unsuitable surface for the development of A. largoensis, the current results suggested that this phytoseiid may be promising in the control of other eriophyoid mite pests.

Abstract Four predatory mites including Amblyseius swirskii, Cydnoseius negevi, Neoseiulus cucumeris, and Phytoseiulus persimilis, as well as mixture of commercial pesticides named Actara^® and Egyxide^® (Emulsified vegetable oil) were used to manage the population of Bemisia tabaci, Thrips tabaci, and Tetranychus urticae on red delta star pepper cultivar of Capsicum annuum. All treatments were applied separately and in combination on pepper cultivar grown in a high plastic-net tunnel. The results showed that A. swirskii released separately or combined with other treatments significantly suppressed the population of B. tabaci and T. tabaci to 0.00 and 0.04–2.10 individual/leaf, respectively. Cydnoseius negevi and N. cucumeris significantly reduced B. tabaci population. However, the latter was the most effective against T. tabaci. The numerical densities of movable and egg stages of T. urticae reduced significantly by P. persimilis alone or along with A. swirskii, followed by the release of A. swirskii with N. cucumeris and reached 0.00 individual/leaf. The most effective treatments for T. tabaci with percent reduction ranging from 94.53% to 100% were A. swirskii, N. cucumeris, and all combined treatments. Treatments with pesticides, C. negevi, and A. swirskii + pesticides exhibited less efficiency in controlling B. tabaci, T. tabaci, and T. urticae, respectively. Our findings indicated that the applied bio-agents were efficient, and the inclusion of A. swirskii in programs of integrated pest management is advisable for controlling B. tabaci, T. tabaci, and T. urticae on the pepper cultivar.

Abstract Phytoseiidae mites’ survival and reproduction depend on optimal environmental factors. A total of five varied agroecological zones (AEZs) were surveyed twice each year from 2017 to 2019 during dry and rainy seasons in Kenya. In eastern Kenya, sample farms were small-scale citrus orchards in counties of Machakos Low Midlands-Four (LM4) and Makueni of Upper Midlands-Three (UM3). In the Coastal Lowlands-Four (CL4) similar small-scale citrus plots were sampled in Kwale, while in the highland Rift Valley region visited sample sites were ADC- Suam orchards of Kitale of the Lower Highlands-Two (LH2), where the large scale farmers grew citrus crop. The fifth region site was Baringo area of the Low Midlands-Five (LM5) where small plot citrus crop dominated the sample sites. Out of 68 fields of repeat surveys, 40% of citrus plots yielded varied diversity of Phytoseiidae mites. The major pest scored from the sites was citrus brown mite, Eutetranychus africanus among other minor pests.  In the study, Phytoseiidae mite population density growth was observed under different climatic factors of temperature, relative humidity, dew-point and citrus plant age (in years). It was only in the warm-humid coastal region of CL4 where the four factors of temperature, relative humidity, dew-point, and citrus plant age appeared to positively correlate to higher Phytoseiidae population density. In other warmer agro-ecological zones older trees positively correlated to higher Phytoseiidae density.  On the major pest E. africanus; three factors were evaluated for correlation and significance to infestation levels on the citrus crop. Of the three evaluated factors of temperature, citrus tree age and Phytoseiidae density in the orchards temperature parameter did not significantly appear to influence the pest mite (E. africanus) infestation levels for all combined AEZs factors. In the present case studies of specific AEZs older trees led to higher pest mite density while low Phytoseiidae numbers correlated inversely to higher E. africanus infestation levels on the citrus trees. The information here could be used proactively to plan for the management of E. africanus pest in citrus orchards in specific agro-ecological zones.

Abstract The control of the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch as one of the most important key pests in agriculture, is basically according to the use of pesticides. The lethal toxicity impact of cyflumetofen (Danisaraba^®) and bromopropylate (Neoron^®) were assessed. LC₅₀ values related to cyflumetofen and bromopropylate were 13.88 and 35.83 µg a.i/mL, respectively. The impacts of LC₃₀ concentration of these two acaricides on life table parameters were evaluated at 25±2 ° C, 65±5% relative humidity and a photo-period of 16:8 (L/D). The obtained data were assessed according to on two-sex life table theory. Both acaricides had significant effects on T. urticae biological parameters such as growth time, survival rate, as well as fertility. The exposure of female mites to LC₃₀ decreased net reproduction rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) in cyflumetofen and bromopropylate treatments and control group were 0.035, 0.045 and 0.21, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the acaricides have sub-lethal impacts on life table parameters of T. urticae and it they might have an effect on the population growth and then the plethora of future generations. The knowledge on the sub-lethal impacts of cyflumetofen and bromopropylate can be used for the design of T. urticae management programs.